Johnny Cooper CD Review - Follow

Cooper's CD hard to follow
Don Chance, For the Times Record News Friday, August 14, 2009

It's a "good news and bad news" kind of week.
Let's get to the bad news first.
'Follow' by Johnny Cooper
As a music commentator, it's always a pleasure to help out a promising career with a good word or two in print. But integrity in this music commentary gig requires absolute honesty, and there are times it's not always a pleasurable thing. This space is about American-style country music in all its many flavors, and I intend to keep it that way
With that said, let's talk about Johnny Cooper's new CD, "Follow"
I've been looking forward to the release of "Follow" for a long time. But when I got the time to give it a listen, I was disappointed.
After listening to the set, I realized that the opener, "Don't Feel Like That Anymore," is something of a commentary on Cooper's career so far. The current single, "Bring Me Down," may be rooted in Red Dirt, but it hammers home the same sentiment.
Most of the songs run to more of a radio-friendly pop-esque feel, with easily forgettable melodies and shallow themes. "Can't Hold On To You" and "Try" are good examples. And what's up with the overproduced horn treatment on the "Take Your Number" arrangement? It just doesn't fit Cooper's still-developing vocal chops and gives the song a distinct weekday karaoke flavor.
Now, I did like "Crazy" quite a bit, and it would make a good radio single. But one strong song out of 10 does not make for a hit album.
In the Red Dirt world, Johnny Cooper was a leader — a fresh and interesting young voice that doubtlessly influenced many other aspiring Red Dirt artists, and he seemed destined to become one of the uniquely homegrown sound's most prominent figures.
But with "Follow," Cooper has chosen a different road — one that has taken him from being a budding leader to being a ... well, just another follower. It's not good Red Dirt music, it's not good pop music, it's not good funk music and it's definitely not country music of any kind.
There's a saying in Texas music: "Dance with those who brung you." I could be wrong, of course, but I seriously doubt that the fans who brought Johnny Cooper this far will appreciate being told "I can feel you now, but I can't hold on to you" (from "Can't Hold On To You")
I truly hope whoever Cooper is trying to attract with "Follow" embraces his new musical direction. But I can't help wondering how many old fans he will lose in the process.
NEXT rating: C-